Kidnapped Alpha Mate

Chapter 17- A Chance

Sophia's P.O.V.

I was sprawled on the bed, my face buried deep in the pillow, when a knock echoed through the room. The sound reverberated in the stillness, a reminder that the world outside continued to turn, while I remained cocooned in my own turmoil. I had no desire to engage with anyone, so I remained silent, not inviting them in. The weight of my thoughts felt too heavy to share, and the idea of facing another person, especially in my current state, was unbearable.

But the person at the door seemed undeterred by my lack of response. With a gentle push, the door creaked open, and Edward stepped inside, his presence filling the space with an air of concern. I kept my gaze fixed on the mattress, the fabric soft and inviting, a stark contrast to the turmoil swirling in my mind. I could feel the familiar weight of someone sitting beside me, the mattress sinking slightly under his presence, and I knew it was him without having to look.

"Um... Sophia, I'm really sorry for not being more mindful of your feelings," he began, his voice soft yet steady, as if he were treading carefully on fragile ground. "Just knowing you were hurt and in pain..." His words hung in the air, a lifeline thrown into the depths of my despair. I could sense the sincerity in his tone, the genuine concern that radiated from him, but the thought of opening up felt like an insurmountable task.

After a few moments of quiet, the silence stretching between us like a taut string, I finally lifted my head. The pillow slid away from my face, and I blinked against the dim light filtering through the curtains. Edward was raking his fingers through his hair, a gesture I recognized as a sign of his own anxiety. His brow was furrowed, and a look of worry was etched on his face, as if he were grappling with the weight of my unspoken pain.

I could see the concern in his eyes, the way they searched mine for answers that I wasn't ready to give. The vulnerability of the moment wrapped around us, and I felt a flicker of something—perhaps gratitude for his presence, or maybe the faintest glimmer of hope that I wouldn't have to navigate this darkness alone. But the words I needed to say felt lodged in my throat, heavy and unyielding, and I wasn't sure if I could find the strength to voice them.

Then, an overwhelming urge to connect surged through me, and I gently placed my hand over his. The instant our skin touched, a surge of electricity coursed up my arm, leaving me breathless with wonder.

It was as if the world around us faded away, leaving only the two of us suspended in this moment of raw intimacy. I could feel the warmth radiating from him, a comforting balm against the chill of my fears.

"That's the mate bond," Edward said, inching closer to me. His voice was low and soothing, wrapping around me like a soft blanket. He hesitated but brought his hand up to cup my cheek with his hand, and I leaned into his tender touch, savoring the warmth it brought. It was a simple gesture, yet it held a universe of meaning—an unspoken promise that I wasn't alone, that he would stand by me no matter how dark the path ahead might seem.

His thumb brushed gently against my skin, igniting a fire within me that I hadn't realized was smoldering. I could see the depth of his concern, the way his brow furrowed slightly as he searched my face for any sign of what I was feeling. In that moment, I understood that he was a comforting presence, someone I can lean on.

"Please," he implored gently, his voice a mere breath against the silence that enveloped us like a heavy fog. The room felt charged with unspoken words, the air thick with the weight of unshared burdens. "You don't have to bear this weight by yourself. Allow me to help." His words hung in the air, a lifeline thrown into turbulent waters, and I could feel the sincerity radiating from him, wrapping around me like a warm blanket.

The earnestness in his gaze cut through my uncertainty, tugging at the very fibers of my heart. It was as if he could see the shadows that clung to me, the fears that whispered in the corners of my mind. I wanted to believe him, to trust that I could lean on someone else for a change, but the walls I had built around myself felt insurmountable.

"Can I... hold you?" he inquired, a glimmer of hope in his tone, as if he were offering me not just his arms, but a sanctuary from the storm that raged within. The question hung between us, delicate and tentative, yet filled with an undeniable warmth. I hesitated, caught in the crossfire of my own emotions—fear, vulnerability, and an aching desire for connection.

His eyes searched mine, a silent plea for permission, and in that moment, I felt the dam within me begin to crack. The thought of being held, of surrendering to the comfort of another, was both terrifying and exhilarating. I could see the kindness etched into the lines of his face, the way his brow furrowed slightly with concern, and it stirred something deep within me—a flicker of hope that perhaps I didn't have to face this alone.

With a shaky breath, I nodded, the weight of my decision settling over me. As he slid closer to me, I felt the warmth of his presence circle me. He wrapped his arms around me, and I couldn't help take a small gasp at the tingles that ran up and down my arm. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, I allowed myself to lean into someone else.

In that comforting hold, I felt the tension within me begin to melt away, the worries that had gripped my heart slowly dissipating. We lingered there for a while, my head nestled against his shoulder, inhaling the intoxicating aroma that I couldn't quite identify. Eventually, it seemed as if our heartbeats were in perfect harmony.

I felt myself getting sleepy and my eyes couldn't stay open.

 "It's ok, you can sleep" I heard him say as I was drifting in and out. His warmth and the comfort of his presence holding me made me feel so safe.